Is that Ali G or Veron looking out of place?

That is because The Gingerman's defender Alex Stanbury, 20, is a dead ringer for Ali G and Manchester United's Argentine star Juan Sebastian Veron.

Alex, of Park View Terrace, Brighton, has taken centre stage for his team this season and helped The Gingerman to second place in the league.

"People started saying I looked like Ali G last year and then my brother Tom bought me the hat and glasses for Christmas," said Alex.

"They all call me Veron on the pitch and to be honest it's a little embarrassing. I certainly don't compare to him in skill."

Although Alex is a defender these days, he admits to possessing an eye for goal rather like his more illustrious counterpart at Old Trafford.

The Albion and Chelsea supporter added: "I've scored six goals this season, but they have all been headers. My shooting is not exactly good."

Alex confessed he has often been mistaken for the Man from the Staines. He said: "Once I was out on the beer and I decided to go out with the gear on. I had cars beeping in the street and people coming up to me asking whether I was him. I haven't done it since. It all got a bit too much, I couldn't handle it."

Team skipper Anthony Coyne is just pleased to have the 'star' on his team.

He said: "Alex is a good player and a confident lad. He's very skillful and there are always a few cheeky comments from the opposition about his appearance. I once said to him: 'Is Veron your role model?'. He replied: 'No, I'm his'.

"He used to talk about his goalscoring prowess as a kid in his junior team, but he broke his ankle and he hasn't been the same since."

Alex did not impress the Brighton Locksmiths who beat The Gingerman 4-2 last weekend. The Locksmith's boss Nigel Thorton said: "Yeah, he played at the back but he didn't stand out. If he really played like Veron we may have struggled."

We have given Alex a case of London Pride and if any agencies out there find him any work, I want some commission!